Pre-Production Samples + Video

Things are moving fast in Pebble land. We're progressing rapidly through our Engineering Verification test stages. We've been spending a lot of time in Asia working with our manufacturing team and the various vendor factories that are supplying parts for Pebble. Two weeks ago, we did a sample build of Pebble with the full assembly line. The output of that sample build was a few of the first assembly line manufactured Pebbles!

Note:

Pebble is not in mass production yet. These sample Pebbles are from an early pre-production test build. We only turned the assembly line on for one day to test the process.

One of the first Pebbles off the test assembly line. Check out the video above for a closer look!

A view of the test assembly line

Soldering the battery to the main printed circuit board (PCB)

David (tall guy from Dragon) examining the vibrating-motor-into-case assembly process

You can view the high resolution versions of all these images and more in this album.

Roadmap

Environmental Testing

Now that we have more complete sample Pebbles to work with, we're beginning environmental testing. This means putting Pebble through its paces and seeing how the hardware holds up in a variety of everyday (and not so everyday) conditions. Here are just a few of the tests that Pebble is undergoing:

We can confirm that the issue we were having with the antenna (Update 18) has been conquered! The latest samples have vastly improved range and meet all of our requirements. Originally, our design included a chip antenna (similar to this), a simple antenna that's easy to use. But after testing back in August showed degradation of the signal inside a test Pebble, we redesigned the radio-frequency (RF) path. We switched to a custom-built antenna solution that uses metal traces positioned to be higher above the bottom of the watch, allowing the RF signal to be clear of water-filled cylinder that is a human wrist.

2-3 test builds remaining before mass production

Before we get into mass production (ie manufacturing all 85,000 Pebbles), we have several more test builds to complete. A test build is when we get the whole assembly line into place and manufacture/assemble a batch (normally around 50-300) of Pebbles. These test builds give us the chance to test the end-to-end manufacturing process, catching problems, testing new solutions and eliminating bugs. These are our major opportunities to revise and fix any problems with the design or manufacturing process, so we're being extremely diligent and careful.

Testing different variations of batteries, vibrating motors and backlight modules

For example, we have several different vendors lined up to provide components for Pebble like the vibrating motor, battery and flexible printed circuit (FPC). In these test builds, we are qualifying each vendor's components and making sure that they are suitable for us to use. Having multiple vendors available for high risk components allows us to switch one component out for another in mass production if issues or delays arise with that specific part.

Color Pebbles

Check out the video to see a few samples of the color Pebbles. We aren't happy with the precise colors, so we're still working on tweaking the plastics. As soon as we're happy with the colors, we'll post high resolution photos in a future update.

T-shirts giveaway!

Here's your chance to get one of our cool 'Meet Pebble' t-shirts that I was wearing in the video. All you have to do is tell us what you're planning on doing with your Pebble ("Checking email while paragliding" or "Skipping music tracks from the bath tub" or even "Writing an app to control the sun..."). Post your answer in the comments section below. We'll choose our 10 favourite answers and give the responder a red or grey a 'meet pebble' t-shirt (their choice).

Thanks for the update Eric but you gotta get off of reading cue cards or tele-prompters.. it's not you, and you can't say "awesomeness" off a cue card.. it just doesn't look good, specially when it sounds like you are now months behind schedule, your investors need to see the real you right now.

This looks like it is going well. I can't wait to get one... but I'd rather wait for them to be the best they can be first. I do IT was well and I am looking forward to getting email alerts on there without constant alert tones...

I am planning on receiving emails/notifications on it and looking forward to seeing what the Dev's are going to do with it. I most likely will be selling these for you. I go to school at Purdue and one thing we like here is technology!

I plan on using my Pebble to listen to and control music, read text messages and track my position while riding my bike! Oh yeah, and making mall my friends and everyone I meet on the street INFINITELY jealous!!!

You should consider a freebie for your backers to make up for the delays for having unfortunately blasted through your $100,000 funding expectation that has caused so much delays. I'm not convinced you'll remember us when your product is out and you've made it big.

I plan to use the Pebble to tell me what time it is.
I think it's so cool that this incredible instrument can loo like an ordinary (but stylish) wristwatch, yet be able to do all sorts of other wonderful things.

I'm the Marketing Manager for the Indianapolis Chamber Orchestra and I'll be using my pebble to check for online orders leading up to concerts and viewing live tweets before, during, and after our performances.

I will do everything with my Pebble. It will be my constant companion. Places you will be able to find me with my Pebble:
- on dingy improv comedy stages around NYC
- on a golf cart in Central Park
- hiking in the Adirondacks
- in the White House (on a tour maybe, who knows)

Let's get real. I'm selling mine on EBAY as soon as it's received! No -- just kidding! Just wanted to be the first person to say that and be honest! No actually -- I plan to wear it to work and tell everyone how cool Pebble is!